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All in all, the world’s going pretty well

We Latter-day Saints can sometimes be a pessimistic lot. Just think back to recent discussions in Gospel Doctrine — everything’s going to heck in a handbasket, right? I happen to think some societal trends are negative, but Michael Barone points out things are going quite well, thank you.

The worldwide economy is booming, led by 4-plus percent GDP growth in the U.S. and 10 percent in China. Millions are being lifted out of poverty every year through economic growth. Barone points out that the freer economies are the ones that are growing while the sclerotic welfare states are the ones that are stagnating.

Meanwhile, despite wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, there are signs that the world is relatively conflict-free compared to other times.

My personal opinion is that things will get better before they get worse. It seems to make sense that there has to be a period of worldwide prosperity for the Gospel to be preached in every nation, and we are fortunate to be living in that time. Yes, there are all kinds of worrisome trends, too numerous to even get into here, and the challenges today’s Saints face now are significant, but all in all the world is doing quite well.

How’s that for a Pollyanna post on a nice Spring day?

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About Geoff B.

Geoff B graduated from Stanford University (class of 1985) and worked in journalism for several years until about 1992, when he took up his second career in telecommunications sales. He has held many callings in the Church, but his favorite calling is father and husband. Geoff is active in martial arts and loves hiking and skiing. Geoff has five children and lives in Colorado.

US economic numbers may be up. But American wages have not grown commesurately. The financial postion of the typical American family today is incredibly tenuous. But you’d expect that kind of gloomy attitude from a bankruptcy attorney, I guess.

I recall several references in the scriptures to “hell”. From “Thou didst not leave my soul in hell” to “if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee . . . .”

I even think that hell makes a cameo appearance in the Hymnbook–“of death, of hell, or of the grave” from “While of these Emblems we Partake”.

So, why on earth can’t we say that things are going to hell in a handbasket? Is it that handbaskets (whatever they may be) are physical objects, and therefore not able to make the trip? Or is it to keep that content blocking software from putting M* on the Forbidden Index? Or what?

Mark B, you are taking my whimsical writing style too seriously. I have no problems writing “h— in a handbasket.” See, I just did it, and it passed the software test. Well, maybe not. I am just so righteous that I can’t write h—. See, it happened again. I should join Everclean, that great righteous Provo boys band.